Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is a collection of essays by Muslim women.
It was interesting, informative and shocking.
It covers a range of topics.

This is a book that everyone should read.

Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

I have followed Mariam on social media for a long time so was really excited to be approved for this. It's an incredible collection of essays - I hope that publication during this strange time won't affect it too badly.

An important book that made me think. It reflects the complexity of today's social, ethnic, racial assumptions, and gives much food for thought.

This is a nicely done look at women and attitudes towards the muslim faith, it's informative without being dry, perfect to dip into and I really feel I learned something about a religion and number of cultures. The tone is consistent without being too repetitive.

An urgently needed book, amplifying the voices of those who too often go unheard by the mainstream press and publishing industries: Muslim women. This diverse collection makes for thought-provoking reading and, while some essays are inevitably better written or more engaging than others, all speak an essential truth to power.

This was such an insightful read and I feel particularly for me because I grew up in white, Catholic Ireland which has only in the last thirty years opened its borders and because a destination of choice for visitors and workers from all creeds, all colours, all nationalities and all faiths. It is amazing how half of a whole race- Muslim women - can be so misrepresented in the media and in society, based on 'fact', opinion, and misjudgements coined and invested by those who really and truly have no idea what they are talking about. The women in this book are strong, intelligent, independent women, who choose to follow their faith as they see fit. They are not compelled to worship, dress or live as they do, they do so because they wish to do so, that is the difference. It has absolutely nothing what so ever got to do with the burqa. These essays, are funny, sometimes angry, informative and very insightful. They are a must read for anyone who want to know more about the women of the Islamic faith.

It's Not About The Burqa is a thought-provoking collection of essays about it means to be a Muslim woman in a world determined to make assumptions about your lived experience.

Across the essays in this collection the Muslim women involved discuss issues of faith, feminism, love, relationships, sexuality, gender identity, racism, and how above all else they do not live single issue lives.

Powerful reading and real eye opening educational essays by Muslim women discussing faith, feminism, and race. I loved this and I think this should be widely read, it’s empowering, informative and importantly educational which is needed. It will make you think and it definitely makes you feel and understand, highly recommended and much needed

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A brilliant collection of essays that really shows the breadth of the Muslim female experience. I loved how many different facets of identity were covered, and I learnt so much not just about Islam, but also about how White Feminism often leaves most women behind. I particularly enjoyed the essays about representation that analysed whether the representation of Muslim women in the media was actually harmful or not because it was something I'd never thought about before and it changed my perspective. A very stimulating read!

A beautifully put together collection of essays by a diverse group of Muslim women on a huge variety of topics.

I'm so grateful this collection exist and I learned something from each essay.

Personal favourites for me were "On the representation of Muslims" by Nafisa Bakkar and "Substance" by Saima Mir.

*I received a free copy of this ebook from Netgalley in return for an honest review*

It's Not About the Burqa is hands-down one of the most thought-provoking and powerful pieces of non-fiction I've ever read. For those not aware, the book is a collection of essays written by Muslim women who talk about their lives, their identity, their faith, their family, societal pressures and many other things. The women who contributed to the book are from a variety of different backgrounds covering many different nationalities (and many being of dual heritage as they were born and raised in different places), different career paths, family structures and this really reflects the diversity of the Muslim community.

This book made me question my own views, question society and look at any biases I may have had without even realising. I cannot begin to unpick the whole of this book or begin to explain the stories these women tell in any coherent way that can offer true justice to their words and voices. On that basis, I encourage you that if you only read one or two non-fiction books this year you make it one of them. However, there were three messages of this book that stood out to me and that I think are important points to think about.

The first point that felt so poignant was that these women have been identified based on their faith alone. They are perceived as Muslim women first and foremost; there is no concern for their personality, their intelligence, their humour, their kindness, their talents or their life experiences. These women have been reduced to a faceless image of a woman in a burqa because that is all that is associated with women who are Muslim. The world has become blind to the talents of these women. As somebody that doesn't follow a religion, but one who entirely respects and at times envies the faith and relationship people develop with their God, I have never experienced being reduced to my faith. I have been privileged to not experience that, but it made me feel such pain that these women would not be given an opportunity because of their faith. That they were regarded or dismissed as being oppressed or unintelligent because of their faith. We have judged these women before they have been able to share their story and that is unforgiveable.

The second point that is highly connected with how these women are identified is how much these women have struggled and in many circumstances been ostracised because of their faith. They have been branded terrorist and outcasts for the actions of a minority in the Muslim community. It feels so important that we do not ignore and do not allow this behaviour to continue. It feels particularly relevant in the UK as Islamphobia is on the rise following the Brexit vote and the fact that our Prime Minister has been openly racist and Islamaphobic comparing Muslim women to letterboxes. How we can allow ourselves to be governed and led by a man that is allowed to behave in this manner without retribution is a sign of how far from equality and acceptance society is. These women talk about how the Quran gives equal rights to women, how women have rights to divorce and Islam makes that much easier for women than men. The story of Khadija, who is known to Muslims as the Mother of Believers and the Prophet's first wife was a powerful one. She was a successful businesswoman and one of the wealthiest merchants in Mecca. She was celebrated for her wealth, for her talent and she was not reliant on a man. This story is a triumph in female rights and independence and shows how Islam as a religion is not about the oppression of women.

Despite this, the most inspiring part of this book was the strength and resilience these women showed. These women are shining role models, not just to young Muslim women but for all women. These women care so deeply, they are passionate about their rights, about equality, about success. They are working to make a difference as they work to change laws, work in academia, become lawyers and engineers, raises awareness about mental health, publish books and articles as journalists and writers. These women are so much more than their faith, but it is their relationship with their faith that is so strong and beautiful to read about. Their faith has helped them through difficult times, although at times its clear they felt it caused difficulties for them too. However, the fact that these women have triumphed and become such shining symbols of female strength in the face of even greater adversity and oppression is so inspiring, and so, so moving.

I cannot begin to share how much this book has made me think, feel and want to scream in anger for these women. It was an absolutely beautiful and thought-provoking read and <i>every one</i> of these women is an absolute inspiration.

Disclaimer: Arc provided via NetGalley

It's Not About the Burqa is a collection of essays from seventeen Muslim women on various aspects of the lives and identities of Muslim women. The topics covered include marriage and love, toxic masculinity, sexuality, family, feminism, and faith, offering a wide and varied look at both personal stories and wider struggles and experiences.

As a non-Muslim, there were a lot of essays that were eye-opening in terms of particular issues—such as lawyer Aina Khan's Register Our Marriage campaign highlighting non-registered Islamic marriages—but also wider elements of culture and faith experienced by individuals or shared by many people. The wide variety of topics covered in the book and the different voices and experiences are important, as is the fact that some essays are very focused on personal stories whereas others make particular points the main focus. The essays critiquing feminism and particularly a 'White Feminism' that does not recognise intersectionality were another highlight, and the collection in general should be read by anyone who thinks themselves a feminist to really make people consider how they—consciously or unconsciously—see and understand the stories of Muslim women.

The collection is distinctive in that it is not fighting for one point, but specifically trying to amplify a range of voices on a range of topics. The essays are compelling and hopefully the book will help to push past stereotypes and start conversations.

Most essay collections rise up in a crescendo; voices who have been torn down by the same injustices, who are persecuted by the same experiences, forming a chorus of resistance. It's Not About the Burqa, on the other hand, found its resistance in another place entirely. It draws attention to the way Islamic women cannot be homogenised, merged or standardised; that over a billion voices cannot be condensed into one. It revelled in its heterogeneity; in each voice, so dissimilar and yet still so important and so beautiful, standing in solidarity with those who are so different from themselves.

I loved It's Not About The Burqa, it was such an empowering and education read, a collection of utterly brilliant stories and essays by a variety of voices.
I found it incredibly interesting to read the various stories about faith, feminism, sexuality and race as told by Muslim women.
It was definitely the cover that originally caught my eye, and in particular the nacked cover of the hardback is very beautiful, representing a huge diversity of Muslim women.
I do strive to read books that will educate me or change the way I see the world and It's Not About The Burqa definitely ticked that box. I found all of the stories and essays to be inspirational and empowering.
A brilliant book that I would recommend in a heartbeat.